Bijapur

Security forces have set up a new security camp at a strategically significant location in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district to plug security gaps, curb the inter-state movement of Maoists and accelerate development in remote areas, police said on Tuesday.

The camp, established at Palsegundi village under the Farsegarh police station limits, will function as a forward operating base of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) 20th battalion, a senior police official said.

Joint teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), district police and the CAF completed the establishment of the camp on Monday, despite challenges posed by dense forests, difficult terrain, limited road connectivity and adverse weather conditions, he said.

The camp has been set up under the state government’s ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ initiative, which focuses on intensifying anti-Naxal operations while ensuring development reaches interior and previously inaccessible regions.

According to officials, the new facility will enable the delivery of essential services such as healthcare, education, electricity, drinking water, public distribution system benefits, mobile connectivity, and improved road and bridge infrastructure to local residents.

It is also expected to help restrict the movement of Maoists across state borders and strengthen a sense of security and confidence among villagers, the official said.

The camp is seen as a key step in enhancing connectivity between Bhopalpatnam, Farsegarh and Sendra in Chhattisgarh, and neighbouring Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra. Construction of a bridge over the Indravati river on the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra connecting road is currently underway and is expected to further improve access to remote habitations, including villages near the Indravati National Park region.

Police said that since January 2024, as many as 35 new security camps have been established in Bijapur district. During this period, 918 Maoists surrendered, 232 were killed in encounters and 1,163 were arrested as part of sustained anti-Naxal operations.

On Monday, security personnel also dismantled a Maoist memorial located in forest areas near Palsegundi, officials said.

Local villagers welcomed the establishment of the camp, expressing hope that it would reduce fear of Naxal violence, improve administrative reach and speed up development activities in the region.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah concluded his three-day visit to Chhattisgarh on Monday, during which he reiterated the government’s resolve to completely eliminate the Naxal menace from the country by March 31.